NATIONAL FISHERY CONGRESS. 371 



While carp have recently been pronounced by the fish commissioners of several 

 States an unmitigated nuisance, compared with which all the plagues of Egypt were 

 but a mild chastisement, the very objection to the aquatic stranger that it multiplies 

 like some miserable species of insect only adds to its value as a food supply for otter- 

 farming. The otter being aquatic, his natural prey for the most part is found in the 

 water fish, frogs, snakes, etc. In his domesticated state he learns to eat almost 

 anything meat, cooked vegetables, fruits, bread, etc. Carp may be fed if necessary 

 on different kinds of vegetables; thus between the carp and the otter all surplus crops 

 could be utilized. 



According to statistics, the young carp, with plenty of food, will attain the large 

 growth of from 3 to 6 pounds in one year. Nature has supplied the food for carp in 

 Florida waters in the greatest quantities; the water-lily, bonnet-pad, grasses, and 

 tender roots, which European waters do not possess, abound in the lakes. The water 

 hyacinth, which has become such a menace to navigation in the St. Johns River, if 

 propagated in a carp pond, would supply food for all time to come. In order that the 

 carp shall be provided with a variety of food, a quantity of wild rice (Zizania aquatica), 

 may be sown around the edge of the lake and in the muddy bottoms. To clear the 

 lake of alligators would be a necessary precaution; and with fish, turtle, etc., this 

 aquatic herd of fur-bearing animals would grow and flourish. 



The otter is a great climber, and, from the experience gathered from the study of 

 the captive otter, it has been demonstrated that a particular kind of inclosure is 

 required. The fence should be a combination of wire and plank, or a solid wall fence, 

 set below the surface of the ground and extending beyond the lake on all sides. 

 With a large inclosure (a space of 20 to 40 or 60 acres being desirable) conforming 

 to the natural haunts of the animal, this aquatic herd need not feel their captivity, 

 but fish and leap and play and rear their young as naturally as if they were in their 

 Everglade haunts. 



KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA. 



